Sport aviation events and autogas

The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114.

With the recent spike in fuel prices, and general economic malaise, pilots are watching their costs more than ever. As head of a large EAA chapter (1114, Apex, NC), GAfuels co-author Kent Misegades has long observed a direct correlation between flying activities and the price of fuel. Aircraft maintenance professionals are reporting that aircraft receiving annual inspections are being flown on average around 25 hours annually, a dramatic drop from only a few years ago when 75-100 hours were typical.

While this year’s Sport Aviation EXPO in Sebring and the Virginia Festival of Flight in Suffolk, Va., saw average attendance, with the turmoil caused by weather at Sun ‘n Fun, it is not possible to predict yet whether pilots will make their annual treks to major aviation events. Since the use of autogas, which typically sells for $1-$1.50 less than avgas, poses one means to reduce travel costs, we contacted the directors of 14 such events in the U.S. asking for plans to offer autogas. If it is not available this year, we provide the name of the nearest airport where pilots can top off with autogas when inbound or outbound. While most host airports do not currently offer autogas, those event directors and airport managers who responded to our inquiries were supportive of doing this in the future.